Washington[US]: Former US President Donald Trump has issued a final warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages and the return of the dead bodies of those murdered by the group, stating that “it is over” for Hamas if they do not comply.
Trump emphasized that the US is providing Israel with all the necessary resources to complete the task, asserting that no Hamas member would be safe if the hostages are not released. He also urged Hamas leadership to leave Gaza while they still have the opportunity.
In a post on X, Trump said, “‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose. Release all the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all the bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”
Trump further warned, “I have just met with your former hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump met with eight of the hostages released from Gaza and listened to their emotional stories. These hostages expressed gratitude for Trump’s ongoing efforts to bring all hostages home.
On March 5, Leavitt stated that Trump met hostages Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani.
A meeting between US and Hamas officials was also held in Qatar regarding hostages. The discussions in Doha focused on securing the release of Edan Alexander, the only Israeli-American hostage still believed to be alive, along with the bodies of four other Israeli Americans taken hostage during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Leavitt did not deny that the US has been engaging in direct talks with Hamas, explaining that Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, has the authority to engage in these negotiations.
While Israel expressed its stance on these talks with the US, no further details were provided.